Rectifying device



Patented fillet., il, llldtla nnefrirrirre nnvicn.

Application filed May 25, 1925. Serial No. 32,551.

Thisinvention relates to rectitying devices in general and more particularly to lli lillii tllll lill such `devices as are adapted tor use de* tectors for radio sets.

lt is Van object oit this invention to providea rectifyiiig device in which crystals such as silicon or any suitable granular or solid reetifying material, are used and which is provided with a multiplicity oi contact points which are adapted to be simultane ouslyand readily actuated to contacting position with said crystals to insure the ob taining ot a satisfactory contact therewith in a prompt and ellicient manner.

lt is further an object of this invention to provide a rectiiying device in which the crystals are flexibly supported.

lt is also an object of this invention to provide a rectitying device which is simple, rugged and economical oit manuiacture.

llt is also an important object et this invention to provide a rectifying device which may easily and simply be operated.

ther and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

@n the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a device embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device partly in section. v

Figure 3 is a detail bottom plan view with parts removed, of the upper contact inember.

Figure 4 is a detail plan view with parts removed, ot the bottom contact member.

ills shown on the drawings:

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a plate 1 which may be ot conducting material. Supported on the plate 1 is an arm .2 which is secured on said plate by nuts 3. The nuts 3 lare adapted to be used to conn neet an electrical lead (not shown) to an upper Contact screw 4 threaded in the arm 2. The screw 4`has `provided thereon a square head 5 which is apertured on all tour sides to receive asmall arm or handle 6 ior a purpose which will be hereinafter apparent. rlhreaded on the screw 4 is a collar 7 which is provided with a setscrew 9.

Mounted on the plate 1 below the arm 2 is a supporting member 9 which is insulated :trom the plate 1 by insulating members 10. .The member 9 is secured to the plate 1 by nuts 9a. Supported in the member 9 is a cup member 11 which is open at either end and counterbored from the upper end to provide a shoulder 12 on which rests a metallic diaphragm 13. Above the diaphragm 13 is a flexible screen or corrugated member 14. Above the member 14 within the cup 11 is a hollow. insulating member 15. VVithin the member 15 on the scr-een 14iis a plurality of crystal particles 16. Supported by means of an annular member 17 on the inemd ber 15 is a plunger 18 which is secured to a pin 19 slidable in the member 17. VSur-V rounding the pin 19 is a compression spring 2O which is adapted to engage between a dowel pin 21 in the pin 19 and the upper side ot the annular member 17. Suitably secured to the bottom surface of the plunger 18 is a screen or corrugated member 22 (Figures 2 and 3). The upper end of the pin 19 is adapted to be engaged by the lower extremity of the screw 4 for forcing said pin downwardly against the action of the spring 2O to cause the screen 22 to contact the crystal particles 1G. Surrounding the member 17 and insulated therefrom by a disk 23 is an apertured cap member 24 which threadedly engages the cup 11. The nuts 3 and 9CL respectively form the means for connecting the device in the circuit.

ln operating the device, the screw 4 which is preferably provided with threads of relatively small pitch, is turned by means of the arm 6 until the screen 22 contacts the crystals 16 as desired. The collar 7 is then secured in position on the screw 4 to limit -further turning of the screw 4 to prevent packing the crystals 16 on any subsequent minor adjustment of said screw. The arm 6 is then positioned in the proper aperture iii the head 5 so as to limit the unscrewing of the screw 4 to less than one revolution of said screw, the length of said arm being such that it will strike the plate 1 it a coinplete revolution of said screw is attempted.

The screens 22 and 14 being adapted to engage the crystals 16 at a multiplicity of points practically at the same time, a satisfactory hot spot is assured by merely turning the arm 6 about the pivot 4 less than one revolution. The provision of the flexible diaphragm 13 permitting vibration of the crystals 16 enables the operator of a radio set to obtain a clearerl tone than if cup- 11.

I am aware that many changes may be Amade and numerous details yof construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof ythis invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patentV granted hereon, other- Wise than necessitated bythe prior art.

I claim as my invention:

'1. A device of the class described co1nprising a receptacle adapted -to support a detecting substance and a contact member adapted to be actuated to contact with said substance, a spring surrounding said member for holding the same in retracted position, and screw means adj ustably supported above said member for engaging the Isame to contact position and means to prevent a complete revolution of said screw means.

'2. A device of the class described comprising a receptacle adapted toy support a detecting substance, a contact member adapted to -be actuated to Contact with said substance, a spring surrounding said member for holding the same in retracted position, screw means adjustably supported above said member rfor engaging the same to contact position, means to prevent a complete revolution of said screw means and a limiting collar adjustably mounted on said screw member above its support.

3. A device of the class described comprising a receptacle adapted to support a detecting substance, a contact member adapted to be actuated to contact with said substance, a spring surrounding said member for holding the same in retracted position, screw means adjustably supported above said member for engaging the same to contact position, and a detachable arm adapted to be adjustably secured on said screw to prevent a complete revolution of said screw substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

NATHANIEL BANKS CREGIER. 

